China strives to control HIV/AIDS spread

China aims to decrease AIDS fatalities in the country by 30 percent by 2015, and new cases by 25 percent in 2015 as compared to 2010, according to a national action plan issued Wednesday.

The State Council published the country's AIDS Action Plan for the 12th Five-Year Program period (2011-2015) on the website of the Chinese government, www.gov.cn, showing the government's leadership in HIV/AIDS prevention and control.

Statistical targets

The plan sets a target of 1.2 million people in China living with HIV/AIDS by the end of 2015.

At present, China has an estimated number of 780,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, including 154,000 AIDS patients.

To control the disease, the plan sets specific targets for AIDS public education, high-risk group intervention, HIV tests and treatment.

The target awareness rate among urban and rural residents aged 15 to 60 is over 85 percent and 80 percent respectively. It should reach over 90 percent among high-risk groups and adolescents, over 85 percent for people flowing in and out of China, migrants, and over 95 percent for prisoners.

The coverage of high-risk group interventions should reach over 90 percent, according to the plan.

Over 80 percent of pregnant women should receive HIV tests, and in high-prevalence regions it should be more than 90 percent.

Officials engaged

Officials' knowledge of HIV/AIDS and their record in its prevention and control will be factored into their annual performance evaluations, according to the plan.

HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and policies will be taught at all of the nation's leader cultivating schools, including those of the Communist Party of China and the Communist Youth League, as well as administrative schools.

Officials' performance in promoting HIV/AIDS public education will be an important evaluation criterion. The plan called for efforts to expand education in the field to create a non-discriminatory social environment.

Curbing sexual transmission

The plan urged "comprehensive intervention" to prevent HIV/AIDS infection through sexual intercourse, as it has become a major way that the virus is transmitted in China.

Condoms or automatic condom vending machines should be available in 95 percent of the country's hotels by 2015.

The plan further decreed that condom-using ratio should rise to 90 percent for those who are highly vulnerable to HIV infections.

The plan also targets a 15 percent decrease in the HIV transmission rate of drug users.

The plan asked governments at all levels to designate public places that condoms or automatic condom selling machines could be installed.